Leicester Tigers vs Gloucester Prediction: Tigers have revenge on their minds

After the disappointment of losing a Premiership Rugby Cup final at Gloucester last week, Leicester Tigers will be looking for revenge when they host the Cherry & Whites in the league on Friday night.

A Leicester side with a blend of youth and experience led the final 6-3 at the break but an impressive second-half comeback saw Gloucester run out 23-13 winners at Kingsholm to lift the trophy.

With international stars coming back into the fold, the Tigers look ready to show their claws as they hope to narrow the gap on frontrunners Northampton Saints at the top of the table.

Team news

Leicester have received a boost with the return of scum-half Jack van Poortvliet, with the England international set to make an impact off the bench for veteran Ben Youngs, who gets the starting role.

After the rigours of the Six Nations, England stars Ollie Chessum, Dan Cole and Freddie Steward are all thrust back into the starting line-up.

The same is true of Wales flanker Tommy Reffell, who was one of the few shining lights for the Welsh in what was otherwise a Six Nations to forget after finishing with the dreaded wooden spoon.

The Tigers have also been boosted by the returns of Julian Montoya, Jasper Wiese and Solomone Kata after they were ineligible to play in the cup final last week.

As for Gloucester, Seb Blake comes in for the injured George McGuigan, with the hooker suffering a hamstring injury in the win over the Tigers last week.

Skipper Lewis Ludlow misses out with a minor foot injury, so Ruan Ackermann will lead out the side at Welford Road.

Stephen Varney returns to the No.9 jersey after an impressive Six Nations with Italy and is joined by Santi Carreras in the half-backs.

Match odds

Leicester are the 2/13 favourites to win on Friday night at Welford Road, while Gloucester are 9/2 to cause a major upset in the East Midlands, while a tie on the night is available at 28/1.

Leicester to win with -16.5 handicap @ 5/4

The Tigers will be a different beast from the side who suffered defeat at Kingsholm last Friday.

A host of returning England stars will add significant quality to the pack and full-back Steward might well feel he has a point to prove after being left out for the last three rounds of the Six Nations.

Steward, who missed the games against Scotland, Ireland and France, will be looking to show national coach Steve Borthwick what his side might have been missing in defeats in Edinburgh and Lyon.

Gloucester may have won the Premiership Rugby Cup last week, but their league form has left plenty to be desired, with just three wins in the competition from 12 games.

Leicester have the experience in the half-backs with Youngs and Handre Pollard and the grunt up front to put Gloucester to the sword and fall on the right side of the -16.5 handicap on offer at 5/4.

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